Hi. Yeah the garden veggies came all at the end of the season and we were flooded with everything. We got a bit tired of zucchini and tomatoes, lol. Everything tasted really good – and I liked the cucumbers.
I’m glad to have read The Sandwich …. i think it was the popular book of the summer as I heard so many have read it. It might not have been my fav but I laughed at various things Rocky & the kids said. So it amused me to a certain extent.
And yes Laguna was a lot of fun in 1976, 1977 when we rented there. It was a cottage past downtown on Thalia Street off PCH … and the beach house was on an over-hang and had a trap door that went down to the beach. So it was right there overlooking the water with a large deck. I have been past Thalia Street many times since but I’m sure someone bought the place and turned into their own place. It’s quite hard to see it from the street.
I’m sure Emerald Bay was wonderful. Those were the days, eh? But we got much more into Newport and Huntington beaches and even Corona del Mar in the 1980s and ’90s. Cheers!

I’m glad you had a good birthday. Dinner with cake is always a great way to celebrate. 🙂

Ah, yes. Rocky’s husband did seem a bit saint-like, didn’t he? And the “loose talk,” as you put it could be off-putting to some readers. I think I chortled quite a few times reading those parts. 😉 Probably not a book for everyone, but I loved it and look forward to a second reading someday.

Reading your replies to some comments and I see your family rented a cottage once in Laguna. One of my childhood friend’s had an aunt & uncle who lived in Emerald Bay (Laguna) and we loved spending time there! Wonder where your beach cottage was located?

Hi Wendy, thanks the bday was fun … and we finished & liked The Emperor of Ocean Park as well as The Perfect Couple. Both series were fun suspense. And I’m glad you let me know about Shogun — I hope after Slow Horses we will watch it … though we will need to get Disney+ for a month in order to do so.
I think you might like Sandwich … though some readers find the narrator a bit whiny but still there is some humor to it. See what you think if you get a chance. Happy reading.

Sandwich is a title that I keep seeing pop up and have been curious about. Maybe because I feel seen with that title. LOL

I hope you have a great week!

Hi Sam, thanks. It’s been a good bday month – and glad to hear you liked My Friends a lot. I plan to try the book again. It definitely seems a head-scratcher that it didn’t make the Booker shortlist. I look forward to your review it and I’m enjoying your Booker rankings. Playground is hard to get a hold of …. I’m on the waitlist still for it. Have a great week.

Thanks Jane. We’ve had a lot from the garden at the end of the season. I think about two more weeks and we’ll be taking down the plants.
I think we’re going need to get Disney+ for a month in order to get Shogun. We finished those other two shows … which were fun and we’ll watch Slow Horses next.
See what you think of Sandwich. It’s a long waitlist I know! And I hope you like Daddy-Long-Legs too. I liked Kate Forbes on the audio, perky like the character.
Happy fall to you as well.

Thanks for the recommendations of Emperor of Ocean Park and Perfect Couple–I jotted down both titles for future reference. I do prefer mini-series over movies because they come in more digestible chunks. I read Shogun decades ago when it first came out, and I’ve heard this adaptation is excellent. Will not be trying it with subtitles!

I’m way back on the library waitlist for Sandwich–will probably be reading this summer book in the depths of winter, but that is not a bad thing. I really enjoyed Hilderbrand’s Winter Street series, and this seems to have a similar vibe.

I wish I had read Daddy-Long-Legs as a child, but based on your recommendation, I just downloaded it from Audible, apparently without requiring a credit! It definitely sounds like something I would enjoy.

Great post! Enjoy the fall.

Hi Haze, thx for your note. To get Shogun, do you have to get Disney+? I think we need to sign up for a month.
Perhaps I got the idea to reread Daddy-Long-Legs from your site! It was an enjoyable listen and Kate Forbes sounds like Judy would sound. I’m actually listening to Julia Whelan narrate The Women right now, so it’s good to keep separate, lol. I like Judy’s optimism & wonder & wit in DLL. Glad you like it.
I will likely be at Wordfest in the city Oct. 19/20. Perhaps I will email you a bit later and we can make a plan. It would be fun to meet up. thx Haze.

I reread Daddy-Long-Legs last month, and guess what? I just reread it again a couple days ago!! I listened on audio too, but with Julia Whelan as the narrator, I don’t think I’ve tried Kate Forbe’s narration. It’s such a lovely, charming book and I love Judy!

As for Wordfest, I hadn’t kept up with it and I didn’t even realize it was happening soon! Which days/events are you going for? I’d love to meet up with you and get a drink or something!